cpDNA-Gene-Sequence-Based Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Gene Flow Analysis of Ethiopian Lowland Bamboo (Bambusinea: Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro)

Background. As a member of Poaceae and subfamily Bambusoideae, Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) is one of the most important nontimber forest resources or a potential alternative to wood and wood products. Ethiopia contributes 86% of the total area of bamboo on the continent, Africa, and 7% of the world. O. abyssinica in Ethiopia accounts for 85% of the total national coverage of bamboo. Several studies have been performed on the genetic diversity and population structure analysis of various bamboo species throughout the world but almost nothing in Ethiopia and O. abyssinica. Methods. Young fresh leaves of O. abyssinica from thirteen natural lowland bamboo growing areas across the country were collected. DNA was isolated using a modified CTAB DNA isolation method. Three cpDNA gene sequences (matK, ndhF3, and rps16) were used for the study. PCR products were analyzed, purified, and pair-end sequenced to calculate AC/GC content, average number of nucleotide differences (k), nucleotide diversity (π) and population mutation rates per 100 sites ( θ w ), InDel (Insertion-Deletion), DNA divergence, gene flow, and genetic differentiation. Results. Metekel Zone was found to have extremely higher k, π, and θ w . Higher frequency of genetic differentiation was found between Metekel Zone vs. the distant populations. Higher frequency of gene flow was found between Assosa Zone vs. Oromia populations. Kurmuk haplotype from gaps or missing data considered and Bambasi haplotype from not considered has descendants around them. Conclusion. Using sequences of cpDNA genes, populations of O. abyssinica collected in Ethiopia show clear diversity based on their geographic location. Metekel Zone was found to have the most diverse population, Assosa Zone has been found to be the source of evolution of O. abyssinica, and Gambella population shows a difference from other O. abyssinica populations.

Knowledge and Practice of Breast and Complementary Infant Feeding Among Mothers in Shinasha Culture: The Case of Bullen Woreda, Metekel Zone, Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to investigate knowledge and practice of breast and complementary infant feedings among mothers of Shinasha culture in Bullen Woreda. The study was undertaken in four kebeles and 80 participants were selected by using convenient sampling. Questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 to compute descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA. The result of analysis reveals that mothers were not given any information about infant feeding before birth of the infant and after birth of the infant mothers got information about breast and complementary infant feeding elder mothers. There is no significant difference among mothers on their knowledge and practice of breast and complementary infant feeding on the three categories of age. Mothers lacked sufficient knowledge about importance of breast feeding for breastfeeding mothers and biased in duration of breastfeeding between both sexes of their infants. The knowledge of complementary infant feeding mothers reported that male infants should start complementary foods earlier than female infants. It is concluded that there is no statistically significant difference among mothers by their knowledge level practices on breast and complementary infant feeding on their age groups. Finally, it was recommended that all concerned bodies of the community, health extension workers etc. should take their parts in educating and creating awareness for mothers about breast and complementary infant feeding.

Modern Contraceptive Utilization and Associated Factors among Married Gumuz Women in Metekel Zone North West Ethiopia

Background. Modern contraceptives are a key intervention to improve the health of both the mother and children by preventing unintended pregnancy. However, significant numbers of women were facing abortion-related morbidity and mortality globally including Ethiopia due to the nonuse or failure of contraceptive uses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the utilization of modern contraceptive methods and associated factors among married Gumuz women in Metekel Zone North West Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 580 women from March 1 to 30/2019. Pretested structured interview administer questionnaires was used to collect the data. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi-info version 7.1 and export to SPSS for farther analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were used. On bivariate analysis P value, less than 0.2 were used to select the candidate variable for multivariate analysis. P value and 95% confidence interval were used to measure the level of significance on multivariate analysis and those variables whose P value < 0.05 were considered as statically significant. The prevalence of modern contraceptive method was 18.6% [95% CI: 15.00-22.00]. Age≥35 year AOR 4.67; 95% CI (1.34 -16.18), able to read and write AOR 6.45 95% CI(2.98-13.97), primary school AOR 6.56; 95% CI (2.22-19.38), secondary school AOR 7.27; 95% CI (3.00 -17.61), counseled on contraceptive methods AOR 3.72 95% CI (2.11-6.56), moderate knowledge on modern contraceptive method AOR 2.31; 95% CI (1.15-4.64), and good knowledge on modern contraceptive method AOR 4.37; 95% CI (2.38-8.02) were identified as statistically significant with modern contraceptive methods utilization. The prevalence of contraceptive utilization was low when compared to the national and the regional figure. Maternal age, maternal educational status, counseling about modern contraceptive methods, and knowledge on modern contraceptive methods were found as statistically significant with modern contraceptive utilization.